Battery cell case

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a battery cell case. The battery cell case includes a front case plate and a rear case plate which are separably coupled to each other. The structures of the front and rear case plates are symmetrical structures, so that the battery cell case can be easily assembled in such a way that the front and rear case plates are coupled to each other with the battery cell disposed therebetween and are fastened to each other by holders fitted over the opposite ends of the case plates. In another embodiment, the structures of the front and rear case plates may be asymmetrical structures so that the front and rear case plates can be coupled with each other in an insert coupling manner without using a separate tool or fastening means.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application Nos.10-2012-0018318, filed on Feb. 23, 2012, and 10-2012-0018417, filed onFeb. 23, 2012, which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to battery cell cases and, moreparticularly, to a battery cell case in which a front case plate and arear case plate are separably coupled to each other on opposite sides ofa battery cell, and the structures of the front and rear case plates aresymmetrical structures, so that the battery cell case can be easilyassembled in such a way that the front and rear case plates are coupledto each other with the battery cell disposed therebetween and arefastened to each other by holders fitted over the opposite ends of thecase plates, or in which a front case plate and a rear case plate areseparably coupled to each other on opposite sides of a battery cell, andthe structures of the front and rear case plates are asymmetricalstructures so that the front and rear case plates can be coupled witheach other in an insert coupling manner without using a separate tool orfastening means.

2. Description of the Related Art

Secondary batteries are batteries which are designed to be recharged andused multiple times, unlike primary batteries. Recently, a lot ofresearch into such secondary batteries is being conducted along withdevelopment of high technology fields related to, for example, digitalcameras, cellular phones, notebook computers, hybrid vehicles, etc.Nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithiumsecondary batteries, etc. are representative examples of the secondarybatteries. Among such examples, the operating voltage of the lithiumsecondary batteries (hereinafter, referred to as ‘lithium batteries’)ranges from 2.0 V to 4.2 V or may be higher. Such a lithium battery maybe typically used as a power supply for mobile electronic devices, or aplurality of lithium batteries may be connected in series to each otherand used in a high power hybrid vehicle. The operating voltage of thelithium batteries is three times greater than that of nickel-cadmiumbatteries or nickel-metal hydride batteries. The energy density per unitweight of the lithium batteries is also comparatively high. Therefore,the use of the lithium batteries is rapidly increasing.

Such a lithium battery includes a cell which includes battery tabsthrough which power is input or output, and a case which houses thecell. Here, the cell that is housed in the case is called a battery cellunit.

The battery cell unit includes a pouch type cell and a battery cellcase. The battery cell case includes a front case plate and a rear caseplate which are disposed on front and rear surfaces of the cell and areseparably coupled to each other to protect the cell.

In conventional battery cell cases, a front case plate and a rear caseplate are made of metal or adiabatic plastic and are coupled to eachother while in close contact with the front and rear surface of abattery cell. The structures of the front and rear case plates areasymmetrical with each other. The fronts and rear case plates arefastened to each other by screws or bolts after having been put in closecontact with each other.

As such in the case of the conventional battery cell cases, the processof fastening the front case plate to the rear case plate includesinserting bolts or screws into the front and rear case plates andtightening the bolts or screws using a tool, such as a screwdriver orwrench. Therefore, the working time required to assemble the batterycell case is increased, thus reducing productivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind theabove problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the presentinvention is to provide a battery cell case having holders in which afront case plate and a rear case plate are separably coupled to eachother on opposite sides of a battery cell, and the structures of thefront and rear case plates are symmetrical structures that correspond toeach other, so that the battery cell case can be assembled without usinga separate fastening means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery cellcase using an asymmetrical structure in which a front case plate and arear case plate that are separably coupled to each other on oppositesides of a battery cell have asymmetrical structures so that the frontand rear case plates can be coupled with each other in an insertcoupling manner, thus making it possible to assemble the battery cellcase without using a separate tool or fastening means.

In order to accomplish the above object, in an aspect, the presentinvention provides a battery cell case, including: a pouch type batterycell, with battery tabs provided on an upper end of the battery cell atpositions spaced apart from each other so that different poles of powersare input into or output from the battery cell via the battery tabs; afront case plate and a rear case plate respectively disposed on a frontsurface and a rear surface of the battery cell, the front and rear caseplates being removably coupled to each other; and a pair of holdersrespectively fitted over opposite ends of the front and rear case platesthat are coupled to each other on the opposite front and rear surfacesof the battery cell, wherein the front case plate includes front insertends extending from the respective opposite ends of the front caseplate, and the rear case plate includes rear insert ends extending fromthe respective opposite ends of the rear case plate, and each of theholders including a receiving body having a hollow space into which thecorresponding front and rear insert ends that are coupled to each otherare inserted.

The receiving body may have locking holes formed in an outer surface ofthe receiving body. Each of the front and rear case plates may includeat least one holder locking protrusion extending in a direction towardthe associated holder. The holder locking protrusion has a hook on anend thereof, whereby when the front and rear case plates are insertedinto the receiving body, the hooks of the holder locking protrusions arelocked to the corresponding locking holes.

Each of the front and rear case plates may include: a fasteningprotrusion protruding from a surface that faces the battery cell; and afastening rod protruding from the surface that faces the battery cell,with a hole formed in the fastening rod, wherein structures of the frontand rear case plates are symmetrical with each other such that thefastening protrusion of the front and rear case plates are fitted intothe holes of the corresponding fastening rods.

The front case plate may include: at least one first heat dissipationwindow formed through a surface that faces the battery cell; and atleast one front partition protruding from the surface that faces thebattery cell, the front partition pressurizing a frame part of thebattery cell, the frame part extending from a perimeter of a main bodyof the battery cell in which power is charged. The rear case plate mayinclude: a second heat dissipation window formed at a positioncorresponding to the first heat dissipation window; and a rear partitionprovided at a position corresponding to the front partition, whereby aheat dissipation passage is formed by a space between the front caseplate and the rear case plate so that heat generated from the batterycell is dissipated through the heat dissipation passage.

Each of the front and rear insert ends may include: at least onecoupling protrusion protruding from each of the front and rear insertends towards the opposing front or rear insert end; and at least onecoupling depression formed in each of the front and rear insert ends ata position spaced apart from the coupling protrusion in a verticaldirection by a predetermined distance, the coupling depression beingdisposed at a position corresponding to the coupling protrusion of theopposing front or rear insert end.

Each of the holders may further include at least one holder heatdissipation hole formed in the receiving body to dissipate heatgenerated from the battery cell.

Each of the holders may include: a connection bar guide having oppositeside surfaces bent such that edges of the opposite side surfaces areoriented towards the battery cell, an edge of one of the opposite sidesurfaces of the connection bar guide being fixed to a surface of thereceiving body, with at least one locking hole formed in a surfaceconnecting the opposite side surface to each other; and a connection barprovided on the surface of the receiving body at a position spaced apartfrom the connection bar guide, the connection bar extending apredetermined length in the vertical direction, with a locking hookprovided on the connection bar at a position corresponding to thelocking hole of the connection bar guide.

Each of the holders may further include a circuit board supportprotrusion protruding upwards from an upper end of the receiving body tosupport a circuit board disposed above the battery cell case.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a battery cell case,including: a battery cell, with battery tabs provided on an upper end ofthe battery cell at positions spaced apart from each other so thatdifferent poles of powers are input into or output from the battery cellvia the battery tabs; and a front case plate and a rear case platerespectively disposed on a front surface and a rear surface of thebattery cell, the front and rear case plates being removably coupled toeach other, wherein the front case plate includes: first horizontalframes respectively provided on upper and lower ends of the to frontcase plate, each of the first horizontal frames extending in ahorizontal direction and forming a horizontal surface; and firstvertical side frames forming upright surfaces extending in a verticaldirection between opposite ends of the first horizontal frames, and therear case plate includes: second horizontal frames respectively providedon upper and lower ends of the rear case plate, each of the secondhorizontal frames extending in a horizontal direction and forming ahorizontal surface; and second vertical side frames forming uprightsurfaces extending in a vertical direction between opposite ends of thefirst horizontal frames, wherein when the front case plate is seatedinto an inner surface of the rear case plate, outer surfaces of thefirst horizontal frames are brought into close contact with innersurfaces of the corresponding second horizontal frames, and outersurfaces of the first vertical side frames are brought into closecontact with inner surfaces of the corresponding second vertical sideframes such that the front case plate is fitted into the rear caseplate.

The front case plate may have at least one first locking depressionformed in the first horizontal frame that is provided on the upper endof the front case plate. The rear case plate may include a lockingmember provided in the second horizontal frame that is provided on theupper end of the rear case plate, and the locking member may have a hookon a lower surface thereof so that the hook of the locking member islocked to the first locking depression.

The front case plate may further include at least one second lockingdepression formed in the first horizontal frame that is provided on thelower end of the front case plate and extends in the horizontaldirection. The rear case plate may further include a lower stopperprotruding upwards from the horizontal surface of the second horizontalframe that is provided on the lower end of the rear case plate andextends in the horizontal direction, the lower stopper being locked intothe second locking depression.

The first vertical side frames and the second vertical side frames mayhave stepped portions having shapes aligned with each other andextending in the vertical direction.

The locking member may include a horizontal surface and a verticalsurface each of which is separated at an opposite side edge thereof fromthe front case plate, wherein a proximal end of the vertical surfaceextends from the front case plate.

The front case plate may include: a front plate body having a planarinner surface with which the battery cell is brought into close contact,and an outer surface on which the first horizontal frames and the firstvertical frames are provided; a first heat dissipation window formedthrough the front plate body to dissipate heat generated from thebattery cell; a first support bar provided in the first heat dissipationwindow and extending in the vertical direction; and first tab guidesprotruding upwards from an upper surface of the first horizontal framethat is provided on the upper end of the rear case plate, the first tabguides guiding the corresponding battery tabs of the battery cells.

The rear case plate may include a rear plate body having a planar innersurface with which the battery cell is brought into close contact, withthe second horizontal frames and the second vertical frames provided onthe inner surface of the rear plate body; a second heat dissipationwindow formed through the rear plate body to dissipate heat generatedfrom the battery cell; a second support bar provided in the second heatdissipation window and extending in the vertical direction; and secondtab guides protruding upwards from an upper surface of the secondhorizontal frame that is provided on the upper end of the rear caseplate, the second tab guides guiding the corresponding battery tabs ofthe battery cells.

Each of the second tab guides may include: a guide insert depressionformed in the second horizontal frame that is provided on the upper endof the rear case plate, the guide insert depression having a widthcorresponding to a width of the corresponding first tab guide; and aguide plate protruding upwards from a portion of the upper surface ofthe second horizontal frame that surrounds the guide insert depression.

Opposite ends of the guide plate may be bent around the guide insertdepression.

The front case plate may further include a first partition provided oneach of opposite ends of the outer surface of the battery cell that isnot brought into contact with the battery cell, the first partitionextending a predetermined length in the vertical direction and having astepped portion aligned with the stepped portion of the correspondingfirst vertical side frame.

The rear case plate may further include a rear partition provided oneach of opposite ends of the outer surface of the battery cell that isnot brought into contact with the battery cell, the rear partitionextending a predetermined length in the vertical direction and having astepped portion aligned with the stepped portion of the correspondingsecond vertical side frame.

The rear case plate may further include a circuit board supportprotrusion protruding upwards from the upper end of the rear case plateto support a circuit board.

The rear case plate may include: an insert hook unit having a pair ofsupport plates provided on an outer surface of each of the secondvertical side frames at positions spaced apart from each other withrespect to the vertical direction by a predetermined distance, and alocking hook provided on an upper or lower surface of each of thesupport plates; and a catch unit having a support bar provided on theouter surface of each of the second vertical side frames, the supportbar extending in the vertical direction, a first block protruding froman upper end of the support bar and having a planar surface on a lowerend thereof, a second block protruding from a lower end of the supportbar and having a planar surface on an upper end thereof, and a lockingdepression formed in the planar surface of each of the first and secondblocks.

In the present invention, a front case plate and a rear case plate havestructures symmetrical with each other so that the battery cell case canbe easily assembled by coupling the front and rear case plates to eachother using holders. Therefore, the present invention can reduce thenumber of assembly processes and the working time, thus enhancing theproductivity.

Furthermore, the present invention may be configured such that a frontcase plate and a rear case plate that protect a battery cell havesymmetrical structures and are coupled to each other in an insertcoupling manner. In this case, the size of the battery cell case can bereduced. Moreover, the size of a battery module that is formed byconnecting several battery cell cases in series and/or parallel to eachother can also be made smaller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more clearly understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery cell case, accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the battery cellcase according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view showing holders separated from the battery cell caseaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a first couplingprotrusion and a coupling depression of a front case and a rear case ofthe battery cell case according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a couplingstructure of a holder of the battery cell case according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a battery module having batterycell cases according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a battery cell case, accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are exploded perspective views illustrating the batterycell case according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a locking protrusion of thebattery cell case according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the locking protrusion of thebattery cell case according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a first tab guide and a second tab guideof the battery cell case according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are views showing a connection unit of the battery cellcase according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating use of the battery cell caseaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of a battery cell case according to the presentinvention will be described in detail with reference to the attacheddrawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the battery cell case,according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is anexploded perspective view illustrating a battery cell and case plates ofthe battery cell case according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 3 is a view showing holders separated from the batterycell case according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the battery cell case using holders 40according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes apouch type battery cell 10, a front case plate 20, a rear case plate 30and the holders 40. The front case plate 20 and the rear case plate 30are disposed at front and rear sides of the battery cell and areseparably coupled to each other. The holders 40 are fitted overrespective opposite ends of the front and rear case plates 20 and 30that have been coupled to each other.

The battery cell 10 includes a frame part 12 and a battery charging part13. The frame part 12 extends from the battery charging part 13 upwards,downwards, leftwards and rightwards, and the front case plate 20 and therear case plate 30 are brought into close contact with the frame part12. A pair of battery tabs 11 protrude upwards from the upper end of theframe part 12 at positions spaced apart from each other. The batterytabs 11 output different poles of power. The battery charging part 13 ischarged with power.

The frame part 12 is a surface that extends from the battery chargingpart 13 upwards, downwards, leftwards and rightwards. The frame part 12is brought into close contact with the front case plate 20 and the rearcase plate 30 and is pressurized by them.

The front case plate 20 and the rear case plate 30 have structuressymmetrical to each other and pressurize the frame part 12 of thebattery cell 10, thus covering the front and rear sides of the batterycell 10.

In detail, the front case plate 20 includes a front partition 21, afirst heat dissipation window 22, a front plate body 23, front insertends 24, front tab guides 25, first heat dissipation slots 26, a firstfastening protrusion 27 and a first fastening rod 28. The frontpartition 21 protrudes from a surface that faces the battery cell 10 sothat the front partition 21 is brought into close contact with the framepart 12 of the battery cell 10. The first heat dissipation window 22 isformed in the front case plate 20 to dissipate heat. The front platebody 23 is a main body of the front case plate 20 and is coupled to thefront surface of the battery cell 10. The front insert ends 24 extendfrom the opposite ends of the front plate body 23 outwards in thelongitudinal direction and are coupled to the holders 40. The front tabguides 25 are provided on the upper end of the front plate body 23 atpositions spaced apart from each other. The front tab guides 25 guidethe corresponding battery tabs 11 of the battery cell 10. The first heatdissipation slots 26 are formed in the front plate body 23 above andbelow the first heat dissipation window 22 to dissipate heat generatedfrom the battery cell 10. The first fastening protrusions 27 protrudefrom the surface of the front plate body 23 that faces the battery cell10. The first fastening rod 28 is disposed at a position opposite to thefirst fastening protrusion 27 so that a second fastening protrusion ofthe rear case plate 30 is inserted into the first fastening rod 28.

The front plate body 23 is the main body of the front case plate 20 andis a plate that has inner and outer surfaces. The battery cell 10 isbrought into close contact with the inner surface of the front caseplate 10.

The first heat dissipation window 22 is an opening that is formed in thefront plate body 23 and dissipates heat of the battery cell 10 to theoutside. In this embodiment, at least one first heat dissipation window22 is provided. The first heat dissipation window 22 may be formed in anarea corresponding to the battery charging part 13 of the battery cell10.

The front partition 21 protrudes from the front plate body 23 towardsthe battery cell 10 and extends a predetermined length along the edge ofthe first heat dissipation window 22. In this embodiment, theinstallation position of the front partition 21 may correspond to thatof the frame part 12 of the battery cell 10. In more detail, one or morefront partitions 21 are provided along the edge of the first heatdissipation window 22 and are brought into close contact with the framepart 12 of the battery cell 10.

As such, the front partitions 21 protrude from the front case plate 20and support the battery cell 10 so that a predetermined space is definedbetween the front case plate 20 and the battery cell 10, thus forming aheat dissipation passage through which heat generated from the batterycell 10 is discharged to the outside.

The front tab guides 25 protrude from the front plate body 23 upwardsand guide the battery tabs 11. Each of the front tab guides 25 iscoupled to a corresponding rear tab guide 35 of the rear case plate 30which will be described later, so that a through hole, through which thecorresponding battery tab 11 protrudes outwards, is formed between thefront and rear tab guides 25 and 35. To achieve this purpose, the fronttab guide 25 is formed by a plate that protrudes upwards from a recessformed in a horizontal surface that forms the upper end of the frontplate body 23.

One or more first heat dissipation slots 26 are formed at each ofpositions above and below the first heat dissipation window 22, thusdissipating heat generated from the battery cell 10.

A first fastening protrusion 27 protrudes from the front plate body 23towards the battery cell 10 and is coupled to a second fastening rod(not shown) of the rear case plate 30 which will be explained later.

In the same manner, the first fastening rod 28 protrudes from the frontplate body 23 towards the battery cell 10. As shown in the drawings, thefirst fastening rod 28 is disposed at a position spaced apart from thefirst fastening protrusion 27 with the first heat dissipation window 22provided between it and the first fastening protrusion 27. The firstfastening rod 28 is coupled to a second fastening protrusion (not shown)of the rear case plate 30.

In other words, the first fastening rod 28 is a cylindrical rod thatprotrudes from the inner surface of the front plate body 23 and has ahole into which the second fastening protrusion (not shown) is fitted.The first fastening rod 28 may be of different kinds of shapes besides acylindrical shape, so long as it has a hole having a shape correspondingto the second fastening protrusion (not shown). These modifications mustbe regarded as falling within the bounds of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the first fastening protrusion 27 and the firstfastening rod 28 are provided at positions spaced apart from each otherwith the first heat dissipation window 22 disposed therebetween. In anembodiment, the first fastening protrusion 27 and the first fasteningrod 28 may be disposed on areas of the surface of the front case plate20 that correspond to the front insert ends 24. In an embodiment, thebattery charging part 13 of the battery cell 10 may have a predeterminedlength such that the battery charging part 13 can be in a range definedby the first heat dissipation window 22. In addition, the frame part 12has a width which can contain an area corresponding to the positions ofthe front partitions 21. Therefore, the first fastening protrusion 27and the first fastening rod 28 are disposed over the length of thebattery cell 10 so that they can be coupled to the second fasteningprotrusion (not shown) and the second fastening rod (not shown) of therear case plate 30 with the battery cell 10 disposed therebetween.

The front insert ends 24 extend from the opposite ends of the frontplate body 23 outwards in the longitudinal direction. The length of eachfront insert end 24 is less than that of the front plate body 23, and adifference in length therebetween may be set such that the sum of theheight of the front insert end 24 and the thickness of the holder 40coincides with the height of the front plate body 23.

The front insert end 24 has at respective opposite ends thereof a firstcoupling protrusion 242 and a first coupling depression 241. The firstcoupling protrusion 242 protrudes from one end of the front insert end24 in the direction of the battery cell 10. The first couplingdepression 241 is formed in the other end of the front insert end 24 ata position spaced apart from the first coupling protrusion 242 so that acorresponding second coupling protrusion 342 of the rear case plate 30is locked to the first coupling depression 241.

The first coupling protrusion 242 has a shape of a bar that protrudesfrom the front insert end 24 towards the rear case plate 30. A hookprotrudes from the end of the first coupling protrusion 242 in eitherthe left or right direction. Thereby, the first coupling protrusion 242can be locked to the corresponding first coupling depression 241 of therear case plate 30, thus coupling the front case plate 20 to the rearcase plate 30.

In this embodiment, the first coupling protrusions 242 are respectivelydisposed at diagonal positions on the two front insert ends 24 thatextend from the opposite ends of the front plate body 23. That is, ifone first coupling protrusion 242 is disposed at an upper portion of thefront insert end 24 that is provided on one end of the front plate body23, the other first coupling protrusion 242 is disposed at a lowerportion of the front insert end 24 that is provided on the other end ofthe front plate body 23.

The first coupling depression 241 is a depression which is formed in apredetermined portion of the front insert end 24 so that a correspondingsecond coupling protrusion 342 of the rear case plate 30 which will beexplained later can be locked into the depression.

In the same manner as the locations of the first coupling protrusions242, the first coupling depressions 241 are respectively formed atdiagonal positions on the two front insert ends 24 that are provided onthe opposite ends of the front plate body 23.

Each front insert end 24 further includes first holder lockingprotrusions 243 to which the corresponding holder 40 is removablylocked. The first holder locking protrusions 243 are respectivelyprovided on upper and lower portions of a surface of the front insertend 24 that opposes to the rear case plate 30.

Each first holder locking protrusion 243 extends at a proximal endthereof from the surface of the front insert end 24 in the shape of abar whose upper, lower and distal ends are separated from the surface ofthe front insert end 24. A hook which is locked to the holder 40 isprovided on an outer surface of the distal end of each first holderlocking protrusion 243. As such, the proximal end of the first holderlocking protrusion 243 is connected to the front insert end 24 while theother parts are separated from the front insert end 24. Thus, when forcethat has been applied to the first holder locking protrusion 243 to theleft or right is removed therefrom, the first holder locking protrusion243 is returned to its original position by the elasticity.

Although the shape of the first holder locking protrusion 243 of thefront insert end 24 is not clearly shown in FIG. 2 because of theorientation of the front case plate 20 of FIG. 2, the shape of the firstholder locking protrusion 243 may be the same as that of a holderlocking protrusion 343 of the rear case plate 30, so it will be able tobe clearly understood with reference to the holder locking protrusion343 of the rear case plate 30.

The shape of the rear case plate 30 is symmetrical with that of thefront case plate 20. In detail, the rear case plate 30 includes a rearplate body 33, a rear partition 31, a second heat dissipation window 32,rear insert ends 34, rear tab guides 35, second heat dissipation slots36, a second fastening protrusion (not shown) and a second fastening rod(not shown). The rear plate body 33 is coupled to the rear surface ofthe battery cell 10. The rear partition 31 protrudes from a surface ofthe rear plate body 33 that faces the battery cell 10 so that the rearpartition 31 is brought into close contact with the frame part 12 of thebattery cell 10. The second heat dissipation window 32 is formed in therear case plate 30 to dissipate heat. The rear insert ends 34 extendfrom the opposite ends of the rear plate body 33 outwards in thelongitudinal direction and are coupled to the holders 40. The rear tabguides 35 are provided on the upper end of the rear plate body 33 atpositions spaced apart from each other. The rear tab guides 35 guide thecorresponding battery tabs 11 of the battery cell 10. The second heatdissipation slots 36 are formed in the rear plate body 33 above andbelow the second heat dissipation window 32 to dissipate heat generatedfrom the battery cell 10. The second fastening protrusion (not shown)protrudes from the surface of the rear plate body 33 that faces thebattery cell 10. The second fastening rod (not shown) is disposed at aposition opposite to the second fastening protrusion (not shown) so thatthe first fastening protrusion 27 of the front case plate 20 is insertedinto the second fastening rod. Although the second fastening protrusionand the second fastening rod are not shown in the drawings, they arerespectively disposed at positions corresponding to the first fasteningrod 28 and the first fastening protrusion 27 of the front plate body 23.

The rear plate body 33 is a main body of the rear case plate 30 and is aplate that has inner and outer surfaces. The rear plate body 33 isdisposed on the rear surface of the battery cell 10 and is coupled tothe front case plate 20 that is disposed on the front surface of thebattery cell 10.

The second heat dissipation window 32 is formed in the rear plate body33 to dissipate heat generated from the battery cell 10. In thisembodiment, at least one second heat dissipation window 32 is provided.The second heat dissipation window 32 may be formed at a positioncorresponding to the body of the battery cell 10 and to have a size thatcan cover the body of the battery cell 10.

The rear partition 31 protrudes from the rear plate body 33 towards thebattery cell 10 and extends a predetermined length along the edge of thesecond heat dissipation window 32. In this embodiment, the installationposition of the rear partition 31 may correspond to that of the framepart 12 of the battery cell 10 so that the rear partition 31 canpressurize and support the rear surface of the frame part 12 of thebattery cell 10. Because the rear partition 31 supports the frame part12 of the battery cell 10, a predetermined space is defined between therear case plate 30 and the battery cell 10, thus forming a heatdissipation passage.

The rear tab guides 35 are formed using a plate that protrudes upwardsfrom a recess formed in a horizontal surface that forms the upper end ofthe rear plate body 33. The rear tab guides 35 function to guide thebattery tabs 11. The shape of each rear tab guide 35 corresponds to thatof the related front tab guide 25 so that a through hole, through whichthe corresponding battery tab 11 protrudes outwards, is formed betweenthe front and rear tab guides 25 and 35.

One or more second heat dissipation slots 36 are formed in the rearplate body 33 above and below the second heat dissipation window 32,thus dissipating heat generated from the battery cell 10.

The rear insert ends 34 extend from the opposite ends of the rear platebody 33 outwards in the longitudinal direction. The rear insert ends 34are coupled to the corresponding front insert ends 24, and the shape ofeach rear insert end 34 corresponds to that of the front insert end 24.

The shapes of the second fastening protrusion and the second fasteningrod respectively correspond to those of the first fastening protrusion27 and the first fastening rod 28, and further explanation and detailedillustration of them will be omitted.

Each rear insert end 34 has at respective opposite ends thereof a secondcoupling protrusion 342 and a second coupling depression 341. The secondcoupling protrusion 342 protrudes from one end of the rear insert end 34in the direction toward the battery cell 10. The second couplingdepression 341 is formed in the other end of the rear insert end 34 at aposition spaced apart from the second coupling protrusion 342 so thatthe corresponding first coupling protrusion 242 of the front to caseplate 20 is locked to the second coupling depression 341.

The second coupling protrusion 342 has a shape of a bar that protrudesfrom the rear insert end 34 towards the front case plate 20. A hookprotrudes from the end of the first coupling protrusion 242 in sidewaysdirection and has a shape corresponding to that of the first couplingdepression 241. Although FIG. 2 illustrates the outer (rear) surface ofthe rear case plate 30 and thus cannot clearly show the second couplingprotrusion 342, it is unnecessary to provide a separate drawing, becausethe shape of the second coupling protrusion 342 is the same as that ofthe first coupling protrusion 242.

The second coupling depression 341 is a depression which is formed in apredetermined portion of the rear insert end 34 so that thecorresponding first coupling protrusion 242 of the front case plate 20can be locked into the depression.

Each rear insert end 34 further includes second holder lockingprotrusions 343 to which the corresponding holder 40 is removablylocked.

Each second holder locking protrusion 343 extends at a proximal endthereof from the rear insert end 34 in a shape of a bar in which upper,lower and distal ends thereof are separated from the surface of the rearinsert end 34. A hook which is locked to the holder 40 is provided on anouter surface of the distal end of each second holder locking protrusion343.

The holders 40 are fitted over the front insert ends 24 and the rearinsert ends 34 of the front and rear case plates 20 and 30 that arecoupled to each other, thus fastening the front and rear case plates 20and 30 to each other. For this, the holders 40 include a first receivingbody 41 and a second receiving body 45. Each of the first and secondreceiving bodies 41 and 45 has therein a hollow space into which thecorresponding front insert end 24 and the associated rear insert end 34are inserted. A connection bar guide 42 and a connection bar 43 areprovided on each of the first and second receiving bodies 41 and 45 sothat the battery cell case can be connected to another battery cell caseby the connection bar guides 42 and the connection bars 43. Circuitboard support protrusions 44 each of which has a triangular hook on theend thereof are provided on upper ends of the first and second receivingbodies 41 and 45 to support a circuit board (50, refer to FIG. 6). Atleast one heat dissipation hole 46 is formed in a surface of each of thefirst and second receiving bodies 41 and 45 to dissipate internal heat.

The first receiving body 41 has in one surface thereof an opening intowhich one end of the battery cell case including of the front and rearcase plates 20 and 30 that are coupled to each other is inserted. Theother three surfaces of the first receiving body 41 are closed surfaces.Locking holes 411 are formed at upper and lower positions in oppositeside surfaces of the first receiving body 41 that are adjacent to thesurface that has the opening into which the front insert end 24 and therear insert end 34 are inserted.

The locking holes 411 are formed in the side surfaces of the firstreceiving body 41 that defines the internal space. The hooks of thefirst and second holder locking protrusions 243 and 343 which areinserted into the first receiving body 41 are locked to thecorresponding locking holes 411.

The shape of the second receiving body 45 corresponds to that of thefirst receiving body 41. The second receiving body 45 is fitted over theother end of the battery cell case including the front and rear caseplates 20 and 30 that are coupled to each other.

The circuit board support protrusions 44 protrude upwards from therespective upper ends of the first and second receiving bodies 41 and45. The triangular hook is provided on each of the circuit board supportprotrusions 44. The circuit board support protrusions 44 support thecircuit board (50, refer to FIG. 6) that is disposed above the batterycell 10.

In this embodiment, the circuit board support protrusions 44 arerespectively provided on the first and second receiving bodies 41 and45, and each of the circuit board support protrusions 44 may be used asit is or alternatively cut off as necessary.

As shown in the drawings, the triangular hook that is formed by adownwardly-inclined surface is provided on the end of each circuit boardsupport protrusion 44 so that the circuit board is locked to thetriangular hook and supported by the circuit board support protrusion44. As another embodiment, the circuit board support protrusion mayinclude two elastic rods which are spaced apart from each other and eachof which has a downwardly-inclined surface on the end thereof, althoughthis structure is not shown in the drawings. In this case, when thecircuit board support protrusion 44 is inserted into a locking hole (notshown) of the circuit board 50, pressure is applied to the two elasticrods which are spaced apart from each other to bring them closer to eachother while their downwardly-inclined surfaces are passing through thelocking hole, and after the downwardly-inclined surfaces have passedthrough the locking hole, the elastic rods elastically move away fromeach other so that they are locked to a portion of the upper surface ofthe circuit board 50 that surrounds the locking hole, thus supportingthe circuit board 50.

The connection bar guide 42 is provided on each of the first and secondreceiving bodies 41 and 45 and has a U-shaped cross-section. Theconnection bar guide 42 is open on one end thereof so that theconnection bar 43 of another battery cell case is inserted into theconnection bar guide 42. A locking hole 421, to which the connection bar43 of another battery cell case is locked, is formed in the connectionbar guide 42.

The edge of one of two opposite side surfaces of the connection barguide 42 that faces the battery cell 10 is fastened to the surface ofthe first or second receiving body 41 or 45, and the other side surfacethereof protrudes outwards. Thereby, a space is defined between the twoside surfaces, and the corresponding connection bar 43 is inserted intothe space. The locking hole is formed at a predetermined position in asurface of the connection bar guide 42 that connects the two oppositeside surfaces thereof to each other.

The connection bar 43 is provided on the surface of each of the firstand second receiving bodies 41 and 45 at a position that is spaced apartfrom the connection bar guide 42 and is adjacent to the rear case plate30. The connection bar 43 extends a predetermined length in the verticaldirection. A locking hook 431 protrudes from the connection bar 43 at aposition corresponding to the locking hole 421 of the connection barguide 42.

The connection bar 43 is inserted into the open side of the connectionbar guide 42 that protrudes from another battery cell case. The lockinghook 431 of the connection bar 43 is hooked to the locking hole of theconnection bar guide 42, thus completing the coupling of the batterycell cases.

Hereinafter, the operation of the battery cell case using the holders 40according to the present invention having the above-mentionedconstruction will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4through 6.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the firstcoupling protrusion 242 and the second coupling depression 341 of thefront case plate 20 and the rear case plate 30 of the battery cell caseusing the holders 40 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing thecoupling structure of the holder 40 of the battery cell case accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective viewshowing a battery module having the battery cell cases using the holders40 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, to assemble a single battery module, the front case plate 20 andthe rear case plate 30 are respectively coupled to the front and rearsurfaces of the battery cell 10. To achieve this, a worker disposes thefront case plate 20 and the rear case plate 30 on the front and rearsurfaces of the battery cell 10 and applies pressure to them to pushthem against each other.

Then, the front partition 21 of the front case plate 20 and the rearpartition 31 of the rear case plate 30 are respectively brought intoclose contact with the front and rear surfaces of the frame part 12 thatextends outwards from the outer edge of the battery charging part 13 ofthe battery cell 10. The first coupling protrusions 242 are locked intothe corresponding second coupling depressions 341 of the rear case plate30. The second coupling protrusions 342 of the rear case plate 30 arelocked into the corresponding first coupling depression 241 of the frontcase plate 20.

Simultaneously, the first fastening protrusion 27 is fitted into thesecond fastening rod, and the second fastening protrusion is insertedinto the first fastening rod 28.

The first coupling protrusion 242 and the second coupling protrusion 342respectively protrude from the front insert end 24 and the rear insertend 34 rearwards and forwards, wherein upper and lower edges of thefirst and second coupling protrusions 242 and 342 are cut from proximalends thereof to predetermined distances and separated from the frontinsert end 24 and the rear insert end 34, respectively. Thus, becausethe proximal end of each of the first and second coupling protrusions242 and 342 is fixed to the corresponding plate-end part 24, 34 whilethe other portions are separated therefrom, the distal end of each ofthe first and second coupling protrusions 242 and 342 can be elasticallymoved. Therefore, the front case plate 20 and the rear case plate 30 canbe easily coupled to each other by respectively aligning the first andsecond coupling protrusions 242 and 342 with the second couplingdepressions 341 and the first coupling depressions 241 and bypressurizing the front and rear case plates 20 and 30 to each other.

Here, because the front partition 21 and the rear partition 31pressurize the frame part 12 of the battery cell 10, the passage isdefined between the front case plate 20 and the rear case plate 30 sothat heat generated from the battery cell 10 can be discharged to theoutside through the passage. The first heat dissipation window 22, thesecond heat dissipation window 32, the first heat dissipation slot 26and the second heat dissipation slot 36 also function to dissipate heatgenerated from the battery cell 10, thus preventing the battery cell 10from overheating.

After the front case plate 20 and the rear case plate 30 have beencoupled to each other, the holders 40 are respectively fitted over theopposite ends of the front and rear case plates 20 and 30, thus reliablyfastening the front and rear case plates 20 and 30 to each other.

That is, the first receiving body 41 is fitted over one end of the frontand rear case plates 20 and 30, and the second receiving body 45 isfitted over the other end. At this time, the first and second holderlocking protrusions 243 and 343 that are respectively provided on thesurfaces of the front and rear case plates 20 and 30 are elasticallyrotated inwards while the first and second receiving bodies 41 and 45are being fitted over the opposite ends of the front and rear caseplates 20 and 30.

In detail, when the front insert ends 24 and the rear insert end 34 areinserted into the first and second receiving bodies 41 and 45, the firstholder locking protrusions 243 and the second holder locking protrusions343 are rotated inwards by the pressurization of the inner surfaces ofthe first and second receiving bodies 41 and 45, and then the hooks ofthe first and second holder locking protrusions 243 and 343 areelastically locked into the corresponding locking holes 411 and 451 ofthe first and second receiving bodies 41 and 45. Thereby, the frontinsert ends 24 and the rear insert ends 34 are fastened to the first andsecond receiving bodies 41 and 45.

On the other hand, to remove the first or second receiving body 41 or 45from the front and rear case plates 20 and 30, the hooks of the firstand second holder locking protrusions 243 and 343 that have beenprotruded from the first or second receiving body 41 or 45 are pushedinwards by a pointed substance, for example, a ball pen, pincers or thelike. After the hooks of the first and second holder locking protrusions243 and 343 have been released from the locking holes 411 or 451, thefirst or second receiving body 41 or 45 is subsequently pulled out ofthe front and rear case plates 20 and 30.

Several battery cells 10 each of which has been assembled by theabove-mentioned method are elastically connected to each other, thusforming a battery module. The battery module is installed in a batterypack case 60. To achieve this, the connection bar guides 42 and theconnection bar 43 which are provided on the opposite ends of eachbattery cell case are connected to the connection bars 43 and theconnection bar guides 42 of adjacent battery cell cases, respectively.

In an embodiment, a first connection bar 43 of a first battery cell 1 isinserted into a second connection bar guide 42 of an adjacent secondbattery cell 2. A second connection bar 43 of the second battery cell 2is inserted into a third connection bar guide 42 of a third battery cell3. After several of the battery cells have been coupled to each other,the battery tabs 11 that protrude upwards from the upper ends of thebattery cell cases are elastically connected to each other and areelastically connected to the circuit board 50. The battery cells arethereafter installed in the battery pack case 60.

Among the circuit board support protrusions 44 that protrude upwardsfrom the upper ends of the battery cells, some circuit board supportprotrusions 44 of the first and second receiving bodies 41 and 45 may becut off depending on the structure of shape of the circuit board 50. Theremaining circuit board support protrusions 44 support the circuitboard.

That is, the circuit board 50 can have different shapes depending on thesize of the battery pack case that contains the battery module andwhether locking holes are present. Therefore, the worker cuts off someof the circuit board support protrusions 44 that are provided on thefirst and second receiving bodies 41 and 45 or changes the shapesthereof to suit the shape the circuit board 50. The remaining circuitboard support protrusions 44 may support the lower surface or edge ofthe circuit board 50, or if locking holes (not shown) that are presentin the circuit board, the circuit board support protrusions 44 may befitted into the corresponding locking holes (not shown), thus supportingthe circuit board 50.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell case may beconfigured such that it is assembled using the symmetrical structure andthe holders, as stated above. In a second embodiment, the battery cellcase may be configured such that it is assembled using an asymmetricaldepression structure. Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the batterycell case using the asymmetrical depression structure will be describedin detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a battery cell case, accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 8 and 9 areexploded perspective views illustrating the battery cell case accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 8 and 9 are theexploded perspective views showing the battery cell case from differentdirections.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, the battery cell case according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention includes a front case plate20′ which is coupled to a front surface of a pouch type battery cell 10,and a rear case plate 30′ which is disposed on a rear surface of thebattery cell 10 and coupled to the front case plate 20′.

The battery cell 10 includes a frame part 12 and a battery charging part13. The frame part 12 extends from the battery charging part 13 upwards,downwards, leftwards and rightwards, and the front case plate 20′ andthe rear case plate 30′ are brought into close contact with the framepart 12. A pair of battery tabs 11 protrude upwards from the upper endof the frame part 12 at positions spaced apart from each other. Thebattery tabs 11 output different powers. The battery charging part 13 ischarged with power.

The frame part 12 is a surface that extends from the battery chargingpart 13 upwards, downwards, leftwards and rightwards. The frame part 12is pressurized by the front case plate 20′ and the rear case plate 30′.

The front case plate 20′ and the rear case plate 30′ have structuresthat are asymmetrical. The battery cell 10 is disposed between the frontcase plate 20′ and the rear case plate 30′, and an inner surface 21 a′of the front case plate 20′ is seated into an inner surface 31 b′ of therear case plate 30′.

In detail, the front case plate 20′ includes a front plate body 21′, afirst heat dissipation window 22′, a first support bar 23′ and first tabguides 24′. The front plate body 21′ has the inner surface 21 a′ and anouter surface 21 b′ and is placed upright. The front plate body 21′pressurizes the frame part 12 of the battery cell 10 to support it. Thefirst heat dissipation window 22′ is formed in the front plate body 21′to dissipate heat generated from the battery cell 10. The first supportbar 23′ is provided upright in the first heat dissipation window 22′ andis brought into contact with the front surface of the battery cell 10 tosupport it. The first tab guides 24′ protrude upwards from the upper endof the front plate body 21′ and support the corresponding battery tabs11 of the battery cell 10.

The front plate body 21′ includes first horizontal frames 211′, firstvertical side frames 214′, first locking depressions 212′ and secondlocking depressions 213′. The first horizontal frames 211′ horizontallyextend along upper and lower edges of the front plate body 21′ andprotrude in a direction away from the battery cell 10 to form horizontalplates. The first vertical side frames 214′ vertically extend from theopposite ends of the first horizontal frames 211′. First lockingdepressions 212′ and second locking depressions 213′ are respectivelyformed in the upper and lower first horizontal frames 211′.

The inner surface 21 a′ of the front plate body 21′ is a surface that isplaced upright and is brought into close contact with the frame part 13of the battery cell 10. The first horizontal frames 211′ and the firstvertical side frames 214′ protrude from the upper, lower, left and rightedges of the outer surface 21 b′. Each of the opposite ends 21 a″ of thefront plate body 21′ may be configured such that the corresponding firstvertical side frame 214′ protrudes in both directions.

The first horizontal frames 211′ are the horizontal surfaces that areprovided on the upper and lower edges of the front plate body 21′ andprotrude in the direction away from the battery cell 10. When the frontcase plate 20′ is coupled to the rear case plate 30′ with the batterycell 10 disposed therebetween, the first horizontal frames 211′ areseated onto the inner surface 31 b′ of the rear case plate 30′ and arebrought into close contact with inner surfaces of the second horizontalframe 311′ which will be explained later, so that the front case plate20′ is fitted into the rear case plate 30′.

The first vertical side frames 214′ are the vertical surfaces which areprovided on the opposite ends 21 a″ of the front plate body 21′. Thefirst vertical side frames 214′ protrude in the direction away from thebattery cell 10. Each first vertical side frame 214′ that extends in thevertical direction between the first horizontal frames 211′ has aninclined edge 214 a′ formed at each of upper and lower portions thereof,and a stepped portion 214 b′ which connects the inclined edges 214 a′ toeach other.

The first locking depressions 212′ are formed by cutting off portions ofthe upper end of the front plate body 21′. The second lockingdepressions 213′ are formed by cutting off portions of the firsthorizontal frame 211′ of the front plate body 21′. Locking members 312′and lower stoppers 313′ of the rear case plate 30′ which will beexplained later are locked into the corresponding first lockingdepressions 212′ and the corresponding second locking depressions 213′so that the front case plate 20′ that is seated onto the inner surfaceof the rear case plate 30′ is fastened to the rear case plate 30′.

Each of the first locking depressions 212′ that are formed in the firsthorizontal frame 211′ of the front plate body 21′ has a stop portion 212a′ that is formed at a position corresponding to the upper end of thefront plate body 21′, so that the locking member 312′ which will bedescribed later is locked to the stop portion 212′.

The first heat dissipation window 22′ is an opening which is formed in acentral portion of the front case plate 20′ to dissipate heat generatedfrom the battery charging part 13 of the battery cell 10.

The front case plate 20′ further includes a first partition 215′ whichis provided around the first heat dissipation window 22′ and protrudesfrom the outer surface 21 b′ of the front plate body 21′.

The first partition 215′ in the vertical direction on the front platebody 21′ that has the first heat dissipation window 22′, is equal to orshorter than the distance between the upper and lower ends of the firstheat dissipation window 22′. For example, the first partition 215′ maybe formed such that it is aligned with the first vertical side frames214′ so that the first partition 215′, the first vertical side frames214′ and second vertical side frames 314′ which will be explained laterform an aligned stepped shape. Thereby, a passage can be defmed betweenthe battery cell provided with the coupled front and rear case platesand another adjacent battery cell.

The first support bar 23′ is vertically provided between upper and lowerends of the first heat dissipation window 22′ and supports the batterycell 10 disposed between the front case plate 20′ and the rear caseplate 30′. The first support bar 23′ is provided between planar surfacesthat form the upper and lower ends of the first heat dissipation window22′. In detail, the first support bar 23′ is provided on the uppersurface of the first partition 215′ that horizontally extends along thelower end of the first heat dissipation window, and the first supportbar 23′ is disposed on an edge of the upper surface of the firstpartition 215′ that is on the side away from the battery cell 10.Thereby, a space is defmed between the battery cell 10 and the firstsupport bar 23′

The first tab guides 24′ protrude from the front plate body 21′ upwardsand guide the battery tabs 11 of the battery cell 10. In thisembodiment, the first tab guides 24′ are provided on the upper surfaceof the first horizontal frame 211′, and each first tab guide 24′ has an‘L’ shape and includes a horizontal plate 241′ and a vertical plate 242′that is bent from the horizontal plate 241′ and protrudes upwardstherefrom.

The rear case plate 30′ includes a rear plate body 31′, a second heatdissipation window 32′, a second support bar 33′, connection units 40′,circuit board support protrusions 35′ and second tab guides 34′. Therear plate body 31′ is placed upright and includes the inner surface 31b′ to which the battery cell 10 is supported, and an outer surface 31 a′to which the front case plate of another battery cell 10 is coupled. Thesecond heat dissipation window 32′ is an opening that is formed in therear plate body 31′. The second support bar 33′ is vertically providedin the second heat dissipation window 32′ to support the battery cell10. The connection units 40′ are used to connect the battery cell caseto other battery cell cases. The circuit board support protrusions 35′support a circuit board 50′ which is placed on the upper end of thebattery cell case. The second tab guides 34′ guide the correspondingbattery tabs.

The rear plate body 31′ includes second horizontal frames 311′, secondvertical side frames 314′, the locking members 312′ and a secondpartition 315′. The second horizontal frames 311′ horizontally extendalong upper and lower edges of the rear plate body 31′ and protrude in adirection toward the battery cell 10 to form horizontal plates. Thesecond vertical side frames 314′ vertically extend from the oppositeends of the upper second horizontal frame 311′ to the lower secondhorizontal frame 311′. The locking members 312′ are locked into thecorresponding first locking depressions 212′ of the front case plate20′. The second partition 315′ is provided around the second heatdissipation window 32′ of the rear plate body 31′ and protrudes from therear plate body 31′ in a direction away from the battery cell 10.

The second horizontal frames 311′ are the horizontal surfaces that areprovided on the upper and lower edges of the rear case plate 30′ andprotrude from the rear case plate 30′ forwards and rearwards. When thefront case plate 20′ is seated onto the inner surface 31 b′ of the rearcase plate 30′, the first horizontal frames 211′ are brought into closecontact with the inner surfaces of the second horizontal frames 311′ sothat the front case plate 20′ is fitted into the rear case plate 30′.

The second vertical side frames 314′ vertically extend from the oppositeends of the second horizontal frames 311′ of the rear plate body 31′ sothat the upper and lower second horizontal frames 311′ are connected toeach other. Each second vertical side frame 314′ includes has aninclined edge 314 a′ formed at each of upper and lower portions thereof,and a stepped portion 314 b′ which connects the inclined edges 314 a′ toeach other. The shape of the stepped portion of the second vertical sideframe 314′ may correspond to those of the associated first vertical sideframe 214′ and first partition 215′.

The second partition 315′ is provided on the upper, lower, left andright ends of the second heat dissipation window 32′ and protrudes fromthe outer surface 31 a′ of the rear plate body 31′ in the direction awayfrom the battery cell 10. Each of vertical portions of the secondpartition 315′ has a stepped portion that corresponds to that of thesecond vertical side frame 314′.

The second heat dissipation window 32′ is an opening that is formed inthe rear plate body 31′ to dissipate heat generated from the batterycell 10.

The second support bar 33′ vertically extends a predetermined length andconnects the upper and lower ends of the second partition 315′ to eachother. The second support bar 33′ functions to support the battery cell10.

Each locking member 312′ will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the locking member 312′ ofthe battery cell case according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the locking member 312′.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the locking member 312′ includes avertical part 312 b′ which extends from the rear plate body 31′, ahorizontal part 312 a′ which is bent from the vertical part 312 b′, anda hook 312 c′ which protrudes downwards from the inner surface of thehorizontal part 312 a′.

The vertical part 312 b′ is configured such that a proximal end thereofextends from the rear plate body 31′ and opposite side edges thereof areslit from the rear plate body 31′. Therefore, the vertical part 312 b′can elastically move upwards or downwards on its proximal end that isfixed to the rear plate body 31′.

The horizontal part 312 a′ is bent from an upper end of the verticalpart 312 b′. The horizontal part 312 a′ is separated from the secondhorizontal frame 311′.

The hook 312 c′ protrudes downwards the inner surface of the horizontalpart 312 a′. The hook 321 c′ has an inclined surface which extends fromthe end of the horizontal part 312 a′ at a predetermined angle, and avertical surface which is bent from a lower end of the inclined surfacein the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 11, the locking member 312′ is inserted into thecorresponding first locking depression 212′ of the first horizontalframe 211′ of the front case plate 20′, and the hook 312 c′ is locked tothe first stop portion 212 a′ of the first locking depression 212′ ofthe front case plate 20′, thus fastening the front case plate 20′ to therear case plate 30′.

The rear plate body 31′ further includes lower stoppers 313′ whichprotrude upwards from the surface of the second horizontal frame 311′and are seated into the corresponding second locking depressions 213′that are formed in the first horizontal frame 211′. In this embodiment,the lower stoppers 313′ are provided on the second horizontal frame 311′at positions spaced apart from each other.

The circuit board support protrusions 35′ protrude upwards from theupper end of the rear plate body 31′. A triangular hook is provided onthe end of each circuit board support protrusion 35′.

Each second tab guide 34′ will be explained in detail with reference toFIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the first tab guide and the second tabguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the second tab guide 34′ includes a guide insertdepression 342′ which is formed by cutting off a portion of the secondhorizontal frame 311′ that horizontally extends on the upper end of therear plate body 31, thus forming a space into which the correspondingfirst tab guide 24′ is inserted. The second tab guide 34′ furtherincludes a guide plate 341′ that protrudes upwards from a portion of thesecond horizontal frame 311′ that surrounds the guide insert depression342′.

The guide insert depressions 342′ are formed in predetermined portionsof the second horizontal frame 311′. Each first tab guide 24′ is seatedinto the corresponding guide insert depression 342′.

The guide plate 341′ includes a vertical plate that protrudes upwardsfrom the second horizontal frame 311′. The guide plate 341′ has a ‘U’shape. That is, the opposite ends of the guide plate 341′ are bentaround the guide insert depression 342′, thus forming the ‘U’ shapewhich surrounds the guide insert depression 342′.

When the first tab guide 24′ is seated into the guide insert depression342′, a space through which the battery tab 11 can protrude upwards isdefined between the vertical plate 242′ of the first tab guide 24′ andthe guide plate 341′.

The connection units 40′ are respectively provided on the oppositesecond vertical side frames 314′. Each connection unit 40′ includes aninsert hook unit 41′ which is inserted into another battery cell case,and a catch unit 42′ into which an insert hook unit 41′ of anotherbattery cell case is inserted. The connection unit 40′ will be explainedin detail with reference to FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view showing the connection unit 40′ of thebattery cell case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the insert hook unit 41′ includes a pair ofsupport plates 411′ which are spaced apart from each other with respectto the vertical direction by a predetermined distance, and locking hooks412′ which respectively protrude from an upper surface of the uppersupport plate 411′ and from a lower surface of the lower support plate411′. Each locking hook 412′ has an inclined surface.

The support plates 411′ include a first support plate 411′ and a secondsupport plate 411′ which are provided on the outer surface of the secondvertical side frame 314′ at positions spaced apart from each other inthe vertical direction by a predetermined distance. In this embodiment,the same reference numeral 411′ is used to designate the first supportplate and the second support plate. A first locking hook and a secondlocking hook which will be described below are designated by the samereference numeral 412′.

The locking hooks 412′ include the first locking hook 412′ whichprotrudes upwards from the upper surface of the upper first supportplate 411′ and has an inclined surface thereon, and the second lockinghook 412′ which protrudes downwards from the lower surface of the lowersecond support plate 411′ and also has an inclined surface thereon.

The catch unit 42′ includes a support bar 421′, blocks 422′ and lockingdepressions 423′. The support bar 421′ is fixed on the outer surface ofthe second vertical side frame 314′ and extends a predetermined lengthin the vertical direction. The blocks 422′ protrude from upper and lowerends of the support bar 421′ in a direction toward the insert hook unit41′ of an adjacent battery cell case. The locking depressions 423′ areformed in opposing horizontal surfaces of the respective blocks 422′.

The support bar 421′ extends in the vertical direction and is fixed onthe outer surface of the second vertical side frame 314′. The supportbar 421′ is disposed at a position spaced apart from the insert hookunit 41′ by a predetermined distance.

The blocks 422′ extend from the upper and lower ends of the support bar421′ in the direction toward the insert hook unit 41′ of anotheradjacent battery cell case. In this embodiment, the blocks 422′ includea first block 422 a′ which protrudes from the upper end of the supportbar 421′ and has a planar lower surface, and a second block 422 b′ whichprotrudes from the lower end of the support bar 421′ and has a planarupper surface.

The locking depressions 423′ are formed in the planar surfaces of therespective blocks 422′ so that when the insert hook unit 41′ of theadjacent battery cell case is inserted between the blocks 422′, thefirst locking hook 412′ and the second locking hook 412′ of the adjacentbattery cell case are locked into the corresponding locking depressions423′.

In this embodiment, the locking depressions 423′ include a first lockingdepression 423 a′ which is formed in the lower surface of the firstblock 422 a′ so that the first locking hook 412′ is locked into thefirst locking depression 423 a′, and a second locking depression 423cwhich is formed in the upper surface of the second block 422 b′ so thatthe second locking hook 412′ is locked into the second lockingdepression 423 c.

Hereinafter, the operation of the second embodiment of the presentinvention having the above-mentioned construction will be explained indetail with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

First, the battery cell 10 is placed in the inner surface 31 b′ of therear case plate 30′. The battery charging part 13 of the battery cell 10is disposed adjacent to the second heat dissipation window 32′, and theframe part 12 is brought into close contact with the inner surface 31 b′of the rear case plate 30′ that surrounds the second heat dissipationwindow 32′. Further the battery tabs 11 protrude upwards from the uppersurface of the second horizontal frame 311′ through the correspondingguide insert depressions 342′.

Thereafter, the inner surface 21 a′ of the front case plate 20′ isseated onto the battery cell 10 and the inner surface 31 b′ of the rearcase plate 30′. The battery charging part 13 of the battery cell 10 isexposed to the outside through the first heat dissipation window 22′ ofthe front case plate 20′.

Subsequently the front case plate 20′ is further pushed into the rearcase plate 30′ such that the outer surfaces of the first horizontalframes 211′ and the first vertical side frames 214′ of the front caseplate 20′ are fitted into the space between the second horizontal frames311′ and the second vertical side frame 314′ of the rear case plate 30′.At this time, the first horizontal frames 211′ of the front case plate20′ are brought into close contact with the inner surfaces of the secondhorizontal frames 311′. The first vertical side frames 214′ are broughtinto close contact with the inner surfaces of the second vertical sideframes 314′.

Furthermore, the locking members 312′ are locked into the correspondingfirst locking depressions 212′ of the upper first horizontal frame 211′while the front case plate 20′ is fitted into the space between thesecond horizontal frames 311′ and the second vertical side frames 314′of the rear case plate 30′. In the process in which each locking member312′ is locked into the corresponding first locking depression 212′, thehorizontal part 312 a′ of the locking member 312′ can be elasticallymoved vertically while passing over the horizontal frame 211′, becausethe vertical part 312 b′ extends from the rear plate body 31′ so as tobe movable.

Therefore, each locking member 312′ can be smoothly elastically hookedto the stop portion 212 a′ of the corresponding first lockingdepressions 212′.

In addition, the lower stoppers 313′ that protrude from the lower secondhorizontal frame 311′ are locked into the corresponding second lockingdepressions 213′. As a result, the front case plate 20′ is fixed in therear case plate 30′ by the locking members 312′ and the lower stoppers313′.

Here, the first tab guides 24′ of the front case plates 20′ are insertedinto the guide insert depressions 342′ of the corresponding second tabguides 34′ of the rear case plate 30′ so that the spaces through whichthe batter tabs 11 protrude outwards are defmed between the first tabguides 24′ and the guide plates 341′ and the second tab guides 34′.

The first partition 215′, the first vertical side frames 214′ and thesecond vertical side frames 314′ form the aligned stepped portions 214b′ and 215 b′ using the inclined edges 214 a′ and 215 a′ on the oppositeends of the battery cell case. Thereby, a space is defmed betweenadjacent battery cell cases, thus forming an air passage through whichheat generated from the battery cells can be dissipated. In the samemanner, the second partition 315′ and the second vertical side frames314′ that protrude from the outer surface 31 a′ of the rear case plate30′ form the aligned stepped portions 314 b′ and 315 b′ using theinclined edges 314 a′ and 315 a′, thus defining a heat dissipation airpassage between the adjacent battery cell cases.

As stated above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the frontcase plate 20′ can be fixed to the rear case plate 30′ in such a waythat the front case plate 20′ is fitted into the inner surface 31 b′ ofthe rear case plate 30′. Thus, the assembly process is simplified,thereby markedly reducing the working time.

Moreover, a process of disassembling the front and rear case plates 20′and 30′ from each other can also be simple. When the worker pushes theends of the horizontal parts 312 a′ of the locking members 312′ upwards,the hooks 312 c′ provided on the lower surfaces of the locking members312′ are removed from the stop portions 212 a′ of the first lockingdepressions 212′ of the front case plate 20′. Then, the front case plate20′ can be easily separated from the inner surface 31 b′ of the rearcase plate 30′.

Several battery cell cases each of which is assembled by theabove-mentioned process must be coupled to each other such that thebattery cells are electrically connected to each other, thus forming asingle battery module, before the battery cell cases are installed inthe battery pack case 60′. An example of this process will be explainedwith reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating use of the battery cell caseaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15, a first battery cell 1′ is coupled to a secondbattery cell 2′ in such a way that the insert hook unit 41′ of thesecond battery cell 2′ is locked to the catch unit 42′ of the firstbattery cell 1′. The second battery cell 2′ is coupled to a thirdbattery cell 3′ in such a way that the insert hook unit 41′ of the thirdbattery cell 3′ is locked to the catch unit 42′ of the second batterycell 2′.

In detail, the first and second locking hooks 412′ of the first andsecond support plates 411′ of the second battery cell 2′ are insertedbetween the support bars 421′ of the first battery cell 1′ and thenrespectively locked into the first and second locking depressions 423 a′and 423 b′ of the first battery cell l′, thus fastening the firstbattery cell 1′ to the second battery cell 2′.

In the same manner, the first and second locking hooks 412′ of the thirdbattery cell 3′ are respectively locked into the first and secondlocking depressions 423 a′ and 423 b′ of the second battery cell 2′,thus fastening the second battery cell 2′ to the third battery cell 3′.The several battery cell cases are successively coupled to each other inthe above-mentioned insert locking manner, thus forming a single batterymodule.

Thereafter, the battery module that is assembled by the above process isinserted into the battery pack case 60′. Here, a circuit board 50′ isdisposed on the upper end of the battery module. The circuit board 50′has a circuit, formed thereon, which is electrically connected to anelectric circuit board (not shown) and power input and output terminals(not shown) that are installed in the battery pack case 60′. The circuitboard 50′ has at least one locking hole 51′ through which thecorresponding circuit board support protrusions 35′ can protrudeupwards.

The circuit board support protrusions 35′ protrude upwards through thelocking hole 51′ of the circuit board 50′ in such a way that the circuitboard support protrusions 35′ are forcibly fitted into the locking hole51′, thus supporting the circuit board 50′.

As such, the battery cells 1′, 2′, 3′ . . . are successively connectedto each other by the connection units 40′, thus forming the singlebattery module. The battery tabs 11 of the connected battery cells areelectrically connected to each other by bending them or separateconductors before the battery cell cases are installed in the batterypack case 60′.

In the battery module, the second partition 315′ of the first batterycell 1′ protrudes towards the outer surface 21 b′ of the front caseplate 20′ of the second battery cell 2′, and the first partition 215′provided on the inner surface 21 a′ of the front case plate 20′ of thesecond battery cell 2′ protrudes from the inner surface 31 b′ of therear case plate 30′ of the first battery cell 1′.

Therefore, the first and second battery cells 1′ and 2′ are coupled toeach other in a shape in which the second partition 315′ of the firstbattery cell 1′ faces the first partition 215′ of the second batterycell 2′. Thereby, a space is defmed between the first battery cell 1′and the second battery cell 2′. As such, in the present invention, heatgenerated from the battery cells 10 can be reliably dissipated throughthe first and second heat dissipation windows 22′ and 32′ of the frontand rear case plates 20′ and 30′ and through the air passages defmedbetween the battery cell cases.

As described above, the front case plate 20′ and the rear case plate 30′of the battery cell case according to the embodiment of the presentinvention have structures which are asymmetrical with respect to eachother so that their assembly or disassembly can be simplified and thebattery cell can be easily cooled by a natural cooling method withoutusing a separate cooling device.

As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, a front case plate and a rear case plate are separablycoupled to each other on opposite sides of a battery cell, and thestructures of the front and rear case plates are symmetrical structures,so that the battery cell case can be easily assembled in such a way thatthe front and rear case plates are coupled to each other with thebattery cell disposed therebetween and are fastened to each other byholders fitted over the opposite ends of the case plates. According toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a front caseplate and a rear case plate are separably coupled to each other onopposite sides of a battery cell, and the structures of the front andrear case plates are asymmetrical structures so that the front and rearcase plates can be coupled with each other in an insert coupling mannerwithout using a separate tool or fastening means.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas disclosed in the accompanying claims.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A battery cell case, comprising: a battery cell, withbattery tabs provided on an upper end of the battery cell at positionsspaced apart from each other; and a front case plate disposed on a frontsurface of the battery cell, the front case plate comprising firsthorizontal frames respectively provided on upper and lower ends of thefront case plate, each of the first horizontal frames extending in ahorizontal direction and forming a horizontal surface; and firstvertical side frames forming upright surfaces extending in a verticaldirection between opposite ends of the first horizontal frames, and arear case plate disposed on a rear surface of the battery cell, thefront and rear case plates being removably coupled to each other, therear case plate comprising second horizontal frames respectivelyprovided on upper and lower ends of the rear case plate, each of thesecond horizontal frames extending in a horizontal direction and forminga horizontal surface; and second vertical side frames forming uprightsurfaces extending in a vertical direction between opposite ends of thefirst horizontal frames, wherein when the front case plate is seatedinto an inner surface of the rear case plate, outer surfaces of thefirst horizontal frames are brought into close contact with innersurfaces of the corresponding second horizontal frames, and outersurfaces of the first vertical side frames are brought into closecontact with inner surfaces of the corresponding second vertical sideframes such that the front case plate is fitted into the rear caseplate.
 10. The battery cell case as set forth in claim 9, wherein thefront case plate has at least one first locking depression formed in thefirst horizontal frame that is provided on the upper end of the frontcase plate, and the rear case plate comprises a locking member providedin the second horizontal frame that is provided on the upper end of therear case plate, and the locking member has a hook on a lower surfacethereof so that the hook of the locking member is locked to the firstlocking depression.
 11. The battery cell case as set forth in claim 9,wherein the front case plate further comprises at least one secondlocking depression formed in the first horizontal frame that is providedon the lower end of the front case plate and extends in the horizontaldirection, and the rear case plate further comprises a lower stopperprotruding upwards from the horizontal surface of the second horizontalframe that is provided on the lower end of the rear case plate andextends in the horizontal direction, the lower stopper being locked intothe second locking depression.
 12. The battery cell case as set forth inclaim 9, wherein the first vertical side frames and the second verticalside frames have stepped portions having shapes aligned with each otherand extending in the vertical direction.
 13. The battery cell case asset forth in claim 10, wherein the locking member comprises a horizontalsurface and a vertical surface each of which is separated at an oppositeside edge thereof from the front case plate, wherein a proximal end ofthe vertical surface extends from the front case plate.
 14. The batterycell case as set forth in claim 9, wherein the front case platecomprises: a front plate body having a planar inner surface with whichthe battery cell is brought into close contact, and an outer surface onwhich the first horizontal frames and the first vertical frames areprovided; a first heat dissipation window formed through the front platebody to dissipate heat generated from the battery cell; a first supportbar provided in the first heat dissipation window and extending in thevertical direction; and first tab guides protruding upwards from anupper surface of the first horizontal frame that is provided on theupper end of the rear case plate, the first tab guides guiding thecorresponding battery tabs of the battery cells.
 15. The battery cellcase as set forth in claim 9, wherein the rear case plate comprises: arear plate body having a planar inner surface with which the batterycell is brought into close contact, with the second horizontal framesand the second vertical frames provided on the inner surface of the rearplate body; a second heat dissipation window formed through the rearplate body to dissipate heat generated from the battery cell; a secondsupport bar provided in the second heat dissipation window and extendingin the vertical direction; and second tab guides protruding upwards froman upper surface of the second horizontal frame that is provided on theupper end of the rear case plate, the second tab guides guiding thecorresponding battery tabs of the battery cells.
 16. The battery cellcase as set forth in claim 15, wherein each of the second tab guidescomprises: a guide insert depression formed in the second horizontalframe that is provided on the upper end of the rear case plate, theguide insert depression having a width corresponding to a width of thecorresponding first tab guide; and a guide plate protruding upwards froma portion of the upper surface of the second horizontal frame thatsurrounds the guide insert depression.
 17. The battery cell case as setforth in claim 16, wherein opposite ends of the guide plate are bentaround the guide insert depression.
 18. The battery cell case as setforth in claim 9, wherein the front case plate further comprises a firstpartition provided on each of opposite ends of the outer surface of thebattery cell that is not brought into contact with the battery cell, thefirst partition extending a predetermined length in the verticaldirection and having a stepped portion aligned with the stepped portionof the corresponding first vertical side frame.
 19. The battery cellcase as set forth in claim 9, wherein the rear case plate furthercomprises a rear partition provided on each of opposite ends of theouter surface of the battery cell that is not brought into contact withthe battery cell, the rear partition extending a predetermined length inthe vertical direction and having a stepped portion aligned with thestepped portion of the corresponding second vertical side frame.
 20. Thebattery cell case as set forth in claim 9, wherein the rear case platefurther comprises a circuit board support protrusion protruding upwardsfrom the upper end of the rear case plate to support a circuit board.21. The battery cell case as set forth in claim 9, wherein the rear caseplate comprises: an insert hook unit comprising: a pair of supportplates provided on an outer surface of each of the second vertical sideframes at positions spaced apart from each other with respect to thevertical direction by a predetermined distance; and a locking hookprovided on an upper or lower surface of each of the support plates; anda catch unit comprising: a support bar provided on the outer surface ofeach of the second vertical side frames, the support bar extending inthe vertical direction; a first block protruding from an upper end ofthe support bar and having a planar surface on a lower end thereof; asecond block protruding from a lower end of the support bar and having aplanar surface on an upper end thereof; and a locking depression formedin the planar surface of each of the first and second blocks.